Native Orchids of Yellowstone National Park

When and where to find and photograph them
Photos and text by
Colleen F. Moore cfmoore72@gmail.com

There are at least two "bog orchids" in
Yellowstone, Platanthera dilatata ("Tall white bog orchid", or
"Scentbottle") and Platanthera hyperborean or Platanthera
huronensis ("Green bog orchid"). One orchid expert says that
the green and white bog orchids intergrade and are difficult
to identify definitively (see Case, 1987, Orchids of the
Western Great Lakes Region). The intergrading explains why we
amateurs are confused. Others say that Platanthera huronensis
(also called "Green bog orchid") and Platanthera aquilonis
(called "Northern green orchid") likely exist in the park.
Platanthera aquilonis is difficult to distinguish from
Platanthera hyperborea, and is classed as Platanthera
huronensis by the Washington Herbarium. Because I am an
amateur I put an assortment here on one page. Judge for
yourself how many varieties are there.

Locations: Found in many wet locations,
streamside, and around small seeps. Here is a partial list:
Apollinaris spring (between Mammoth and Norris), trail to
Mystic falls, trail to Fairy falls, near Warm Creek picnic
area, along the Gibbon River (access from one of the pullouts
people use to go to the river to fish), Natural bridge trail,
Old Faithful area along the Firehole River near the footbridge
closest to OF Lodge, Blacktail Plateau Drive in the ditches as
you descend from the top, along the trails near Heart Lake
(backcountry). Always look for both green and white varieties
after finding one..

Blooming: Third week of June to late July,
depending on location. Sunnier and warmer locations bloom
earlier. Seed pods visible from the previous year.

Sniff test: The common name "Scentbottle"
says it, at least for the tall white bog orchid. Fragrance is
stronger in the morning it seems. The green ones sometimes
have a fragrance.